Why More Than 300 Joburg Vendors Will No Longer Be Trading

Johannesburg officials have confirmed that more than 300 informal traders will not be returning to their stalls in the inner city, mainly due to missing documents and unresolved immigration issues. After a two-week verification process ordered by the South Gauteng High Court, the city said only 161 traders from a list of more than 500 qualified for trading permits. The process followed a court challenge by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (Seri) over the City’s removal of traders operating illegally or outside designated zones. Mayor Dada Morero announced that 44 traders would receive their smart permits immediately, with the rest set to be issued by Friday. Phemelo speaks to MMC for Economic Development Nomoya Mnisi.